Ultrasonic applicator

Abstract

An ultrasonic applicator includes an ultrasonic converter accommodated within a converter housing, a first housing, and a second housing. A rear end portion of the first housing is located in the second housing and an inner end portion of the converter housing is located in the rear end portion of the first housing. A length of the rear end portion of the first housing is adjustable. An outer end portion of the converter housing is connected with the second housing via an elastic element, so that a restoring force may be applied on the converter housing by virtue of a movement of the converter housing relative to the second housing.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An ultrasonic applicator, comprising:
 an ultrasonic converter, accommodated in a converter housing having an inner end portion and an outer end portion, 
 a first housing having a front end portion and a rear end portion, 
 wherein the inner end portion of the converter housing is located in the rear end portion of the first housing, 
 a second housing at least partially surrounding the first housing, 
 wherein the rear end portion of the first housing is located in the second housing, wherein a length of the rear end portion is adjustable, 
 wherein an elastic element is arranged between the outer end portion of the converter housing and the second housing, so that a restoring force may apply on the converter housing by virtue of a movement of the converter housing in an axial direction relative to the second housing to a biased position, and 
 wherein a recess is formed in an outer surface of the converter housing, and a biased retainer is arranged at the second housing, so that the retainer is biased into engagement with the recess by moving in a transverse direction to the axial direction to hold the converter housing relative to the second housing when the converter housing is in the biased position. 
 
     
     
       2. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein a trigger is provided for moving the retainer away from the first housing. 
     
     
       3. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein a thread is formed in an outer surface of the first housing, so that the length of the rear end portion, located in the second housing, is adjustable by virtue of a rotation of the first housing relative to the second housing. 
     
     
       4. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein a depression is formed in an outer surface of the first housing, wherein a locking pin is arranged at the second housing, so that the locking pin is capable of engaging the depression. 
     
     
       5. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 4 , wherein the locking pin is biased in the direction to the first housing. 
     
     
       6. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 5 , wherein a switch element is provided for blocking or releasing the locking pin. 
     
     
       7. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a grip at the second housing. 
     
     
       8. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the front end portion of the first housing comprises a through bore for a tip of the ultrasonic converter and a coupling element for a connection of the first housing with a tissue protection sleeve or a bone screw. 
     
     
       9. The ultrasound applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein an indicator is provided at an outer surface of the first housing, and wherein the second housing further comprises a viewing window, wherein the indicator is visible in the viewing window when the first housing is arranged in a determined position relative to the second housing. 
     
     
       10. A method for using the ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 adjusting the position of the first housing relative to the second housing, 
 pulling the outer end portion of the converter housing in a first direction out of the second housing, to tension the elastic element between the converter housing and the second housing, 
 moving a retainer in a second direction transverse to the first direction into a recess formed in the outer surface of the converter housing, to retain the converter housing relative to the second housing in a position in which the elastic element is tensioned, 
 activating the ultrasonic converter, and releasing the converter housing by moving the retainer in the second direction out of the recess, and 
 applying pressure together with ultrasonic vibrations to an object at the tip of the sonotrode of the ultrasonic converter. 
 
     
     
       11. An ultrasonic applicator comprising:
 a first housing having front and rear end portions, 
 an ultrasonic converter housing having first and second ends moveably mounted in the first housing, 
 an ultrasonic converter mounted within the ultrasonic converter housing; 
 a second housing at least partially surrounding and axially adjustably mounted on the first housing, 
 a locking element for locking the relative axial position of the first and second housings; and 
 an elastic element extending between the ultrasonic converter housing and the second housing, the elastic element put under tension on axial movement of the converter housing with respect to the second housing in a direction away from the first housing; 
 a lateral recess formed in an outer surface of the converter housing; and 
 a retainer arranged at the second housing and being capable of engaging the lateral recess, when the converter housing is moved axially with respect to the second housing; wherein the retainer is biased in the direction transverse to the axial direction and towards the converter housing. 
 
     
     
       12. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 11 , wherein a trigger is provided for moving the retainer away from the first housing. 
     
     
       13. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 12 , wherein a thread is formed in an outer surface of the first housing, so that the length of the rear end portion thereof, located in the second housing, is adjustable by virtue of a rotation of the first housing relative to the second housing. 
     
     
       14. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 11 , wherein a depression is formed in an outer surface of the first housing, wherein a locking pin is arranged on the second housing, so that the locking pin is capable of engaging the depression. 
     
     
       15. The ultrasonic applicator according to  claim 11 , wherein the front end portion of the first housing comprises a through bore for a tip of the ultrasonic converter and a coupling element for a connection of the first housing with a tissue protection sleeve or a bone screw. 
     
     
       16. The ultrasound applicator according to  claim 11 , wherein an indicator is provided at an outer surface of the first housing, and wherein the second housing further comprises a viewing window, wherein the indicator is visible in the viewing window when the first housing is arranged in a first position relative to the second housing. 
     
     
       17. An ultrasonic applicator, comprising:
 an ultrasonic converter, accommodated in a converter housing having an inner end portion and an outer end portion, 
 a first housing having a front end portion and a rear end portion, 
 wherein the inner end portion of the converter housing is located in the rear end portion of the first housing, 
 a second housing at least partially surrounding the first housing, 
 wherein the rear end portion of the first housing is located in the second housing, wherein a location of the rear end portion with respect to the first housing is adjustable, 
 wherein an elastic element is arranged between the outer end portion of the converter housing and the second housing, so that a restoring force may act on the converter housing along an axial direction by a movement of the converter housing relative to the second housing to a biased position, 
 wherein a recess is formed in an outer surface of the converter housing, wherein a retainer is arranged on the second housing and extends through the first housing, so that the retainer is moveable in a direction transverse to the axial direction towards and away from the converter housing to selectively engage and disengage the recess on the converter housing, and when engaged, to hold the converter housing in the biased position when the converter housing is moved relative to the second housing, the retainer being spring biased in the transverse direction into engagement with the recess in the converter housing. 
 
     
     
       18. The ultrasonic applicator as set forth in  claim 17  further comprising a spring loaded actuator for disengaging disengaging the retainer from the recess in the converter housing. 
     
     
       19. The ultrasonic applicator as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the spring loaded actuator for disengaging the retainer from the recess comprises a spring loaded trigger.